Ironing board and means for pivotally supporting the same



July 11, 1950 A. P. LANTZ 2,514,707

IRONING BOARD AND MEANS FOR PIVOTALLY SUPPORTING THE SAME Filed Aug. 25, 1947 s Sheets-Sheet 1 F|G.4. 5 FIG. I.

H g. Q g z l8 FnG. 2,

FIG. 7.

. lNvENToR ALPHA PERRY LANTZ 4| ATTORNEYS July 11, 1950 A. P. LANTZ 2,514,707

momma BOARD AND MEANS FOR PIVOTALLY SUPPORTING THE SAME Filed Aug. 25, 1947 3 F. G. a. :35

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ALPHA PERRY LANTZ ATTORNEYS y 50 A. P. LANTZ 2,514,707

IRONING BOARD AND MEANS FOR PIVOTALLY SUPPORTING THE SAME Filed Aug. 25, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 |-va-rodz A LPHA PERRY LANTZ ATTORNEYS Patented July 11, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT must? OFFICE IRONIN G BOARD AND MEANS FOR PIV- OTALLY SUPPORTING THE SAME 9 Claims.

1 This application is a companion case to my application filed August 14, 1947, Serial No. 768,514, presenting other embodiments of the invention hereof in improvements in ironing boards and supporting means therefor.

More particularly the invention has for its object the provision of an improved ironing board adapted to be pivotally supported by the opposite wall portions of a cabinet, or the like, whereby to be swung upwardly out of the way when not in use, but to be readily swung downwardly and outwardly into horizontal or ironing position, when desired.

The improved characteristics embrace a novel means for pivoting the end of the board whereby thesame will have greatly enlarged convexed seating members fitting complemental concaved supporting members or bearings, to the end that pivot pins or hinges, or details of older devices, are rendered unnecessary and dispensed with, and a strong and efilcient structure provided.

More specifically the interfitting convex and concave bearing members referred to comprise members semi-circular in cross-section, one fixed, as in a cabinet, and the other carried by the board for rotative movement therewith, associated with stops for limiting the rotative movement and coincidentally to assist in supporting the board under ironing pressure or strains.

Two embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, and the underlying spirit of the invention, together with novel details will be apparent from the descriptions hereinafter contained, when read in connection with the said drawings.

Here, it may be pointed out that a novel basic feature of both embodiments, is the formation of the ironing board, of substantially the same thickness throughout its projecting or ironing portion, with integral lateral extensions of relatively greater depth constituting rocking members, arranged to project into and rotatively engage complemental bearing members on the adjacent walls of the cabinet, eliminating any necessity for separate attachments to be secured to the board with the attending insecurity of fastening means for such attachments, etc., all of which is obviated where, as stated, the board and its immediately associated movable operating parts are integral with and a permanent part of the board itself.

The construction is identical, at the opposite side edges of the board and cabinet, and a refergngle to the one is to be regarded as applicable to Other features of novelty will be developed in the discussion of the separate embodiments.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through the ironing board constituting the preferred embodiment of the invention, showing in elevation one of the bearing members. on the end wall of the cabinet or other support, it being understood that the board may be of any convenient or preferred length and of a weight to maintain its horizontal operating position as shown, the board being shown with its outer portion broken away;

Figure 2' is a top view of the inner end edgeportion of the board in horizontal or ironing position, associated with its bearing in the supporting end wall of the cabinet, the latter being shown in horizontal section;

Figure 3 is a horizontal section on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an edge View of Figure 1 (in the direction of the arrow 4) illustrating the auxiliary stops and braces or supports for the board;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a vertical section through the upper or innermost stop;

Figure '7 is an edge view of the plate and stops removed from the cabinet wall;

Figure 8 is a top plan view of the board removed from the cabinet;

Figure 9 is a bottom view of the inner end portion of the same;

Figure 10 is a side edge View of the same; and

Figure 11 is a vertical sectional view, similar to Figure 1, showing the board in vertical position within the'cabinet.

Figure 12 is an inner face view showing a modified form of plate with a single supplemental stop.

Figure 13 is a view similar to Figure 1 illustrating the plate of Figure 12 in the second embodiment of my invention, that is, the board formed entirely of metal with the semi-circular wallengaging projections facing a direction opposite .to that illustrated in the preceding series of figures.

Figure 14 is a top plan view of the inner end portion of the board of Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a similar bottom view of the same; and

Figure 16 is a top plan view of the board of Figure l projected to ironing position from the cabinet, the latter being shown in transverse horizontal section, and certain details being omitted.

Referring more specifically to the drawings wherein like reference characters refer to the same parts in the respective series of views i'l 2!], screwed as at 2! to the inner-faeesoftheside.

walls of the cabinet, appropriately;spaced-to ac commodate the desired width of the board, are

also formed of sheet metal to have-interfitting-=- relationship to the board as willappear,

Such relationship is a rocking or swinging one enabling the board to be positioned vertically'in the cabinet or horizontally therefrom as suggested,- the strutural formations being as-follows The end wall 18 'of the cabinet has an openin v22 therein of special contour, as shown, and the plate 20 :has an integral outwardly turned flange 23 of the same contour'and lining the opening 22 of the end wall for suitable" protectionami strength incase the end 'wallz'isaofwood or similar materi'algand-afiording a smooth iinner working face in said'lining of the opening.

Thisppening in the end plate 20, as also that of the endfwall, is of approximately semi-circular shape 24 (Fig. :11) in itsilower portion andin its upper portion 25 'it is somewhat shaped like a sector, the portion 25 (Fig'. 11) being offset outwardly towards the frontof the cabinet, as appearsin said Figure 1, withthe curved or arcshapedouter wall 26 of the same disposed -upwar'dly or in theopposite direction from'the cur vature of the-semi-circular portion 24' ofthe opening. This provides a vertical abutment wall 2T andapair of parallel horizontal abutment walls 28 and 29 to engage and support the board in'its ,two positions.

The board-l9 is, as already statedffor-med entirely of sheet metal, comprising the flat upper" or ironing-face 3i and a downwardlyjbent marginal flange 3|, extending substantially therev around save where said flange merges .intosemi-' circulandepending plates 32, conforming to the semi-circular open portions 24 and having int'e gral outwardly turned, semi-circular bearings. or

flanges 33 adapted to bear. .uponthe like curved flanges of the end plates 30 .on the end walls of the cabinet, permitting the board to rockkupe wardlyto verticalposition or downwardly to horizontal positi0n,.as desired...v

When the board. is in horizontal position a flange 3d, projecting outwardly from-thebottom l of the flange 3], will rest upon the abutment wall and 25,-and the inner end of the board-through the medium of the upper end or terminal 35 of the flange 33, will correspondingly abutthehorizontal upper edge or shoulder 29 between said open portions Z4 and 25.

The verticalspacing of the stop shoulders 28 28, connecting the endsof the open portions 24 and 29 is approximately the distance between the upper surface 30 and bottom of the flange 3|;of

the ironing board, to engage and support-theboard when in ironing position at-opp'osite sides of the axis of movement, indicated at 31. When the board is rocked upwardly it will engage the vertical contact face or edge 2? of the end plate 29, said edge 21 being located in a vertical plane to one side of the axis 3l,about the distance of the depth or thickness of the board, as stated, that the board may occupy an approximately true vertical position.

To prevent the board from accidentally swinging out of the cabinet a manually releasable spring latch 36 secured at 33 to and projecting downwardly from the curved wall or flange 2%, of the open portion 25, into the path of movement of the flange 34, so that'the upper edge of the latter (Figure 11) will slide under and against the V-shaped hump 39, thereby deflecting the spring latch upwardly until passed the said fiange,. when the latch will spring downwardly again to normal position, in front of the flange 35 and prevent outward rocking movement of -the boardi' When the latter is needed for iron- 3 ing; the finger of'the user may release the latch andfree the board as will be obvious.

Struck-inwardly from the end plate as, to secure the added strength or reinforcement of the ironingboardltherefrom when in use under relativelyheavy lpre ssure 'or strain;- are" supplemental horizontal stops iil 'and' er, the former'adapted tocontact *theinnermost upp'er surface of the board and the latter below the outwardly'projecting. portion of the board at opposite sides of the axis of movement of the board? In Figure 8 the "board of Fig u're-l is shown in top; planviewas provided with fine slits or openings d2 'therethrough so the ironingportion'of the board may'becoole'd'bylthe passage of air therethroughybut the slits'or openings-are so narrow that they will not impair the flat ironing surface; the "inner 'portion -of the board is formed with' a seat-or rest 43 for-the ironing implement; and hooks l iKFigure '10) respectively projecting upwardlyand downwardly-from an intermediate portionmf the board, and having connecting shanks '45 passing loosely through the board, afford attaching "means for a covering or padding foldedoven the ironing .pOrtion of the board. These features will 'not"beclaimed' herein because they constitutesubjectmatter of thecompanion case.

Referring'now tojtheembodim'ent of "the in Vehtion illustrated in Figuresj12 to 15 inclusive, it will be "seen that the same is quite like the embodim'ent hereinabove' set forth, the essential difference residing inthe disposition'of the'semicircular enlargements orl'bearingengaging portions; 'on the bottom of-the board -to engage the bearings in the" plate' attached-tothe end walls of the cabinet this instance theplates are represented-atiififsecured to the end walls dl', as

at il fhaving the openingsfldd-andlfiatherein ing =inner ends-, the opening between said inner portions-being represented at 52r "A'stvill b apparent the" vertical 1 abutment; corresponding to"- F 21 of. the :flrst embodiment, is"hre represented at 53.

The board Y or the embodiment now b'eing d'e scribed is represented at 5, the same being formed of sheet metalhaving a reinforcing surrounding bead 55 constituted by an inwardly folded depending marginal flange 56 of the board.

The bearing engaging portions 57 (integralwith and depending downwardly from the, board proper) having the semi-circular flange'EB, con.- forming to the curvature 59 of the open.portion ihla, are arranged below a broadened portion of the board or lateral extensionsfifi thereof which will project with the rounded extensions 51, into the plates it and complemental openings in the end wall 41 of thecabinet so that the extensions 5'! may engage and ride upon .the. curved bottom flange 59 of the open portion24a, .the outer end 6| of this widened portion ofv the board engaging and riding over the curved upper end 62 of the open portion 25a. V

The extended portion 63 of the board connected with said inner end portion. 6!, will move over the plate 46, and outwardly beyond the portion 6|, the board is narrowed somewhat as at 63 to accommodate any covering or padding material that may be passed around the ironing portion of the board, this narrowed portion of the board providing space to accommodate said; material while permitting the board to swing intothe cabinet and avoid interference from the end Wall of the cabinet. I a v When the board is projectedinto ironing position the inner end of the board itself will have extended contact with the abutment 51 of the plate, and the projecting or ironing portionmay not only have contact of its beaded edge portion 65 with the abutment 50, but may rest upon an additional abutment member 68 struck inwardly from the plate 46. i

It will be noted that in both of the herein described embodiments of the invention, the semicircular bearing engaging members integral with the opposite side edges of the board, and their complementa], bearings formed withthe supporting plates at the end walls of the cabinet or. the like, are of very substantial size or, as illustrated; of a length or diameter approximatelylequal to about one-half the length of the inner portion of the board which projects into the cabinet so that the supporting bearing for the board is correspondingly extensive and sweeping as distinguished from a mere pivot pin, rod or hinge.

I claim:

1. An ironing board and a support therefor, including a sheet metal plate secured to the end wall of a cabinet or the like, said plate having a bearing portion formed in part by an opening of general sector shape in the upper forward portion of the plate and in part by an opening of approximately semi-circular shape in the lower rearward portion of the plate, said openings communicating with each other and bound by curved and straight walls, the straight walls forming abutments While the curved wall of the semi-circular opening forms a bearing surface, the ironing board being of integral sheet metal formation having a fiat ironing surface and a'depending semi-circular plate adjacent its inner end and extending longitudinally of said board, the depending semi-circular plate entering the bearing portion and engaging the semi-circular bearing surface, and contact means associated with the ironing board adapted to engage the abutments afforded by the straight Walls to limit the swinging movements of the ironing board.

2. An ironing board and a support therefor, including a sheet metal plate secured to the end wall of a cabinet or the like, said plate having a bearin portion formed in part byan opening of general sector shape in the upper forward portion of the plate and in part by an opening of approxi: mately semi-circular shape in the lowerrearward portion of the plate, said openings communicating with each other and bound by curved and straight Walls, the straight walls forming abutments While the curved wall of the semi-circular opening forms a bearing surface, the ironing board being of integral sheet metal formation having a flat ironing surface and a depending semi-circular plateadjacent its inner end and extending longitudinally of saidboard, the depending semi-circular plate enteringthe bearing portion and engaging the semi-circular bear-- ing surface, and contact means associated. with the ironing board adapted to engage the abut merits afforded by the straight walls to limit the swinging movements of the ironing board, said bearing portion of the plate having a flange as sociated with the walls of the sector and'semicircular shaped openings to increase the area of the, abutments and the bearing surface, said depending semi-circular plate having a circumferential flange to contact the bearing surface. 3. An ironing board and a support therefor, including a sheet metal plate secured to the end wall of a cabinet or the like, said plate having a bearing portion formed in part by an opening of general sector shape in the upper forwardportion of the plate and in part by an opening of approximately semi-circular shape in the lower rearward portion of the plate, said openings communicating with each other and bound by curved and straight walls, the straight walls forming abutments while the curved Wall of the semi-circular'opening forms a bearing surface, the ironing board being of integral sheet metal formation having ailat ironing surface and a depending semi-circular plate adjacent its inner end and extending longitudinally of said board, the depending semi-circular plate entering the bearing portion and engaging the semi-circular bearing surface, and contact means associated with the ironing board adapted to engage the abutments afforded by the straight walls to limit the swinging movements of the ironing board, said bearing portion of the plate having a flange associated withthe Walls of the sector and semi-circular shaped openings to increase the area of the abutments and the bearing surface, said depending semi-circular plate having a circumferential flange to contact the bearing surface,,the flange of thebearing portion extending away from the ironin board and the circumferential flange of thedepending semi-circular plate being similarly extended. I

, 4. An ironing board and a support therefor, including a sheet metal plate secured to the end wall of a cabinet or the like, said plate having a bearing portion formed in part by an opening of general sector shape in the upper forward portion of the plate and in part by an opening of approximately semi-circular shape in the lower rearward portion of the plate, said openings communicating with each other, said sector-shaped opening being bound by a curved wall, a straight horizontal wall and a straight vertical wall, said semi-circular shaped opening being bound by a curved wall and a straight horizontal wall, the straight walls forming abutments while the curved wall of the semi-circular opening forms a bearing surface, the ironing board being of integral sheet metal formation having a flat ironing surface and a'dependi-ng semi-circulanplate adjacent" its inner end --and extending .longituinally of said board, .the depending semi-circular plate-entering thebearingportion and engaging the semi-circular bearing surface, and contact means associated with theironing board adapted to engage the abutments afiorded by the straight walls to limit the -swingingmovements of the ironing'board,thestraight horizontal wall of-the sector-shaped opening joining with the ecurved wall -of the semi-circularppening while the straight horizontal wall of the semi-circular opening joins with thestraight vertical wall of the sector-shapedopening. v V

-5.- An ironing board and a support therefor, including a-sheetrnetal*platesecured to -the;.end

abearing portion formed-inpart by anopening of generalsectcr shape in the upper forward portion of the plate-and in part by an opening of aprearward portion of r the plate,- said openingscom- I municating With-eachother and bound by curved and straight walls,- thestraight walls forming abutments while the curved wallof the semi-cincular-openingforms a bearing surf ace,-saidbearing portion-of the plate havinga flange associated with the walls of the sector and semi-circular 3 shaped openings to increasethe area of the abutmentsand the bearing surface, the ironing board being -of integral sheet metal formation having-a flat ironing surface, a depending semi-circular plate-provided with a circumierential fiangeentering the bearing-portion and engaging the semi-circular bearing-surface and a flange extending laterally-from said ironing board and positioned-in frontr of said circumferential flange, said ironing board flange-andanupper end portion of the circumferential fiangewbeing adapted to engage abutments afforded by-the straight walls-toretain the ironing board in operative'position.

c 6. An ironingboard and a-supporttherefor-, in-, cluding asheet metal ":plate "secured to the end wail of a vcabinet or thelike, said plate having a bearing-portion formed in part-by an opening of generalsector shape in-theupper forward portion of the plate and inpart by an openingtof approximately semi-circular shape in the lower rearward portion of the 'plate, said-openings communicating with each other and bound by curved and straight walls, :the straight-walls"forming abutments while the..curved wall of thesemi-circular opening forms a bearing surface, -said bearing portion of the plate having a flangeassociated with the walls-of the-sector and semicircular shaped openings to increase the area; of the abutments and the bearing surface, the ironing board being of integral sheet-metal formation vhaving a flat ironing surface, adepending-semivcircularuplate provided with a circumferential fiange enteringthe. bearing portion andeengaging the semi-circular bearing surface, and a flange extending laterally from said ironing board :and

positioned in frontof the circumferential-flange, said ironingboard flange :and an -upper=end portion of the, circumferential flange beingtadapted to engage abutments afforded .by, the. straight walls to retain the ironing board in operative position, the flange of the bearing; portion. being provided with a. latch to hold the ironingboard ininoperative position.

. '7...An ironing board and.a:.supporttherefor, including a sheet metaliplate securedito theiend wallofa cabinet .01: .the like, said plate having-a wall of acabinet or the -like said plate having proximately semi-circular shape in the lower bearingaportion formed inlzpart by .an' openin ofigeneral sector shape inthe .upperforward portionnofttheplate andtinrpart .by an opening of approximately semiecirculari shape in the lower rearwardflportionuof the plate, said openingcommunicating witheachotherand bound \by curved and. straight .walls,. the straight walls forming abutmentsiwhile the curvedwall of thesemi-circular opening forms a bearing surface,said bearing portion .of .the iplateihaving a, flange associated with the wallsuofithesector and semi-circularshaped openings to increase .the areaof thevabutmentsvand .the :bearingsurface, the ironing board being of integral sheet metal formation lhavingaflat ironing surface, a. depending semi-circularplate .provided with a circumferential flange entering thebearing portionand engaging the semi-circularibearing, surface, .and a fiangeextending laterally from said ironing board andhaving connection with one end of the flange of .the,depending. semi-circular plate, said ironing. board flange andithe other endoftheflange of the depending semi-circular plate being adapted ;to engage abutments. afforded by the straight wallsito retain theironing board inuoperative. position.

.8, An ironingboard anda support therefor, includingiasheet .metal vplatesecured to the end wall of a cabinet or the like, said plate having a bearing. portion formed .in part by an opening of general sector shape inthe upper forward portion of ,the platesand in part by an opening of approximately semi-circular shape .in the lower rearwardiportion; ofthe plate, said openings communicating :witheachl other and bound by curved and straight walls, .the straight walls forming abutments while the curved wall .of the, semi-circular openingforms a bearing surface, said bearingportiomof the .platehaving aeflange associated with the .walls. .ofnthe sector and semi-circular shapedopenings towincreaseithe areaof theabutments andthebearing surface, the ironing board being of .integral sheet .metal formation having a flat ironing surface and a lateralextension adjacent one end extending longitudinally of the board, saidlateralextension entering the bearing portion HandVhaVing a depending circumferentially-flangedssemircircular .plate engaging the bearing surface, the ironingiboardhaving contact surfaces adapted to engage the abutments afforded by the straight walls to limit the. swinging movement of. the ironing board.

7 .9. An ironing boardand a support therefor, including a sheet metal. plate. secured to the end Wall of. ancabinet or thevlike, said plate having a bearingdportion formedjmpart tbyvan opening of eneralsector shape in the upper forward portionof the .iplateand in part by an opening of approximately semi circular shape in the lower rearwardportionof the-plate, said openings communicating with eachother and boundby curved and straight walls; the straight Walls forming abutments While the curved Wall of the semi-circularopening forms abearing surface, said bearing portion of the plate having a flange associated with the walls of thesector and semi-circular shaped openings to increase thearea of the abutments and the bearingsurface, the ironing board being of integralsheet metal formation having a'flat ironingsurface and a lateral extension adjacentpneend -extending longitudinally of the board, said lateral extension entering the bearing portion andhaving a depending circumferentially-fianged semi-circular plate engagingthe bearingsurface, the ironing board having contact surfaces adapted to engage the abutments afforded by the straight Walls to limit the swinging movement of the ironing board, the circumferential flange of the semi-circular plate extending in a direction toward the ironing board.

ALPHA PERRY LAN'IZ.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Heins June 1, 1909 Trammell Nov. 5, 1929 Worley et a1 July 19, 1932 Racine June 6, 1933 Bullard Nov. 25, 1941 Baker Dec. 30, 1941 Certificate of Correction I Patent No. 2,514,707 r July 11, 1950 ALPHA PERRY LANTZ It is hereb certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction asfo ows:

In the grant, line 13, for Alpha Perry Lentz, his heirs read Alphd Perr-y Lantz, her heirs;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read as corrected above, that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oflice.

Signed sealed this 3rd day of October, A. D. 1950.

[SEAL] THOMAS F. MURPHY;-

' Assistant Gammz'ssz'onebvpf Patents. 

